Foreclosure help offered Friday in Lindenhurst

Homeowners in foreclosure and those at risk of foreclosure can get information on loan modification programs and other assistance from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 23 in Lindenhurst, according to the state Department of Financial Services. Photo Credit: iStock

Homeowners in foreclosure and those at risk of foreclosure can get information on loan modification programs and other assistance from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 23 in Lindenhurst, according to the state Department of Financial Services.

The department’s mortgage foreclosure prevention specialists will be available in a mobile command center across from the Lindenhurst Memorial Library, at 1 Lee Ave.

The specialists will assess where homeowners are in the pre-foreclosure or foreclosure process, and advise them about loan modification programs and ways they can file complaints about abusive practices by lenders and mortgage services. Homeowners should bring any relevant documents, such as records of mortgage payments or letters from lenders or mortgage servicers.

Homeowners should be wary of mortgage rescue scams by private businesses, which may improperly demand upfront fees, collect homeowners’ mortgage payments or ask them to sign over their home’s deed, says Benjamin Lawsky, superintendent of financial services. Nonprofit housing counselors can help homeowners negotiate with lenders for free, he says.

This is the third foreclosure prevention event the department has held on Long Island; specialists have also met this year with homeowners in Brentwood and Massapequa. The department launched its foreclosure prevention initiative last month.

Homeowners may file complaints using the department’s website, www.dfs.ny.gov. For more information, call the department’s foreclosure hotline at 800-269-0990 or 518-457-1654 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.